591 Development Finance

The Course will

  • Provide an overview of development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries and the shared global responsibility under the UN Agenda 2030 to reconcile economic, social, and ecological objectives.
  • Focus on the roles of and partnerships between actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, NGOs, and the private sector, particularly social entrepreneurs and impact investors.
  • Familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms.
  • Address critical views on aid effectiveness.
  • Highlight policies in developed countries incoherent with the objectives of development assistance.

Requirements for one credit:

  • Two 3-page essays: the first to be submitted on or before September 14, 2023 (15% of final grade); the second to be submitted on or before October 5, 2023 (15% of final grade)
  • One 10-page paper to be submitted on or before December 1, 2023 (40% of final grade)
  • Active participation in class discussions (30% of final grade)
  • There will be no final exam

Requirements for a second credit (optional):

  • Online presentation to professor of approx. 25 minutes
  • Topic in the field of Development Finance proposed by student
  • Time of presentation between November 6th and 24th, 2023 (date to be determined by student and professor)
  • Written outline of presentation and bibliography to be submitted to professor no later than three days prior to presentation.
  • Grading: pass/fail
Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Seminar
Learning Outcomes
  • Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Fall 2023

2023
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will

  • Provide an overview of development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries and the shared global responsibility under the UN Agenda 2030 to reconcile economic, social, and ecological objectives.
  • Focus on the roles of and partnerships between actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, NGOs, and the private sector, particularly social entrepreneurs and impact investors.
  • Familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms.
  • Address critical views on aid effectiveness.
  • Highlight policies in developed countries incoherent with the objectives of development assistance.

Requirements for one credit:

  • Two 3-page essays: the first to be submitted on or before September 14, 2023 (15% of final grade); the second to be submitted on or before October 5, 2023 (15% of final grade)
  • One 10-page paper to be submitted on or before December 1, 2023 (40% of final grade)
  • Active participation in class discussions (30% of final grade)
  • There will be no final exam

Requirements for a second credit (optional):

  • Online presentation to professor of approx. 25 minutes
  • Topic in the field of Development Finance proposed by student
  • Time of presentation between November 6th and 24th, 2023 (date to be determined by student and professor)
  • Written outline of presentation and bibliography to be submitted to professor no later than three days prior to presentation.
  • Grading: pass/fail

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2022

2022
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will:

  • Provide an overview of development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries - exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic - and the shared global responsibility under the UN Agenda 2030 to reconcile economic, social, and ecological objectives.
  • Focus on the roles of and partnerships between actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, NGOs, and the private sector, particularly impact investors.
  • Familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms.
  • Address critical views on aid effectiveness.
  • Highlight policies in developed countries in conflict with the objectives of development assistance.

Requirements for one credit:

  • Two 3-page essays: the first to be submitted on or before September 14, 2022 (15% of final grade); the second to be submitted on or before October 4, 2022 (15% of final grade)
  • One 10-page paper to be submitted on or before December 2, 2022 (40% of final grade)
  • Active participation in class discussions (30% of final grade)
  • There will be no final exam

Requirements for a second credit (optional):

  • Online presentation to professor of approx. 25 minutes
  • Topic in the field of Development Finance proposed by student
  •  Time of presentation between November 7th and 25th, 2022 (date to be determined by student and professor)
  • Written outline (not full text) and bibliography of presentation to be submitted to professor no later than three days prior to presentation
  • Separate grade

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2021

2021
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will provide an overview of development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries - exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic - and the shared global responsibility under the UN Agenda 2030 to reconcile economic, social, and ecological objectives. It will focus on the roles of and partnerships between actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, NGOs, and impact investors; and it will familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. The Course will also address critical views on aid effectiveness as well as domestic and foreign policies in developed countries that are in conflict with development assistance.

Requirements for one credit:

- Two 3-page essays: the first to be submitted on or before October 13, 2021 (15% of final grade); the second to be submitted on or before October 26, 2021 (15% of final grade);

- One 10-page paper to be submitted on or before December 10, 2021 (40% of final grade);

- Active participation in class discussions (30% of final grade);

- There will be no final exam.

Requirements for a second credit (optional):

- Online presentation to professor of approx. 25 minutes

- Topic in the field of Development Finance proposed by student

- Time of presentation between November 1st and 26th, 2021 (date to be determined by student and professor)

- Written outline and bibliography of presentation to be submitted to professor no later than three days prior to presentation

- Grading: pass/fail

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2020

2020
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will provide a general overview of persisting development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries, and the shared global responsibility under the Agenda 2030 to reconcile conflicting economic, social, and ecological objectives. It will focus on the roles of and partnerships between various actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and impact investors; and familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. The Course will address critical views on Aid Effectiveness as well as issues of Policy Coherence for Development in developed countries.

Requirements for one credit:

- Two 3-page essays: the first to be submitted on or before September 7, 2020 (15% of final grade); the second to be submitted on or before October 15, 2020 (15% of final grade);

- One 10-page paper to be submitted on or before December 10, 2020 (40% of final grade);

- Active participation in class discussions (30% of final grade);

- There will be no final exam.

Requirements for a second credit (optional):

- One-on-one online (video) presentation to professor of approx. 25 minutes

- Topic proposed by student in the field of Development Finance

- Time of presentation between November 1st and 25th, 2020 (the exact date to be determined by student and professor)

- Written outline and bibliography of presentation to be submitted to professor no later than two days prior to presentation

- Grading: pass/fail

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2019

2019
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will provide a general overview of persisting development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries, and the shared global responsibility under the Agenda 2030 to address them. It will focus on the roles of and partnerships between various actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and impact investors; and familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. The Course will also deal with critical views on Aid Effectiveness, and issues of Policy Coherence for Development in developed countries.

Course Requirements:

  • Two 3-page essays: the first to be handed in on or before September 29, 2019, 11:59 p.m.; the second to be handed in on or before October 4, 2019, 11:59 p.m. (combined 30% of final grade)
  • One 10-page final paper to be handed in before December 13, 2019, 11:59 p.m. (40% of final grade);
  • Participation in class discussions (30% of final grade).

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2018

2018
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Final paper under 10 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will provide a general overview of persisting development challenges in Low and Middle-Income Countries, and the shared global responsibility under the Agenda 2030 to address them. It will focus on the roles of and partnerships between various actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and impact investors; and familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. The Course will also deal with critical views on Aid Effectiveness, and issues of Policy Coherence for Development in developed countries.

Course Requirements:

Two 3-page essays: the first to be handed in on or before September 30, 2018; the second to be handed in on or before October 5, 2018 (30% of final grade);

  • One 10-page final paper to be handed in before December 15, 2018 (40% of final grade);
  • Participation in class discussions (30% of final grade).

 

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Reflective Writing
  • Final paper under 10 pages
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

The Course will provide a general overview of persisting development challenges in Low and Middle Income Countries, and the shared global responsibility under the Agenda 2030 to address them. It will focus on the roles of and partnerships between various actors of development finance, such as government agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and impact investors; and familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. The Course will also deal with critical views on Aid Effectiveness, and issues of Policy Coherence for Development in developed countries.

Course Requirements: 

  • Two three-page essays: the first to be handed in on or before September 24, 2017; the second to be handed in on or before September 29, 2017 (30% of final grade);
  • One six-page final paper to be handed in before December 10, 2017 (40% of final grade);
  • Participation in class discussions (30% of final grade).

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Fall 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

591.01 1
  • Final paper under 10 pages
  • Reflective Writing
  • Class participation
Manuel Sager

After providing a general overview of the persisting development challenges in Low and Lower Middle Income Countries, reflecting the spirit of universal responsibility of the Agenda 2030 the Course will concentrate on the roles of governmental development agencies, multilateral development banks, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and impact investors, as the main external sources of development finance. Furthermore, the Course will familiarize students with development finance instruments, such as budget aid, grants, loans, and blended finance mechanisms. Finally, the Course will deal with critical views on development assistance, with aid effectiveness, and with policy coherence for development.

Suggested Course Requirements:

  • Two three-page essays: the first to be handed in on or before October 2, 2016; the second to be handed in on or before October 7, 2016 (30% of final grade);
  • One six-page final paper to be handed in before December 15, 2016 (40% of final grade);
  • Participation in class discussions (30% of final grade).

Pre/Co-requisites
None

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.